Fire extinguisher nozzle retaining means



y 9, 1956 F. B. ALLEN El AL 2,747,822

FIRE EXTINGUISHER NOZZLE RETAINING MEANS Filed April 20, 1953 mmvroxs FRANK 5. A1. us/v AND y/VORMAN H. 5/565:

ATTORNEY United States Patent 7 FIRE EXTINGUISHER NOZZLE RETAINING MEANS Frank B. Allen, Towaco, and Norman H. Siebens, Cedar Grove, N. 1., assignors to Pyrene-C-O-Two Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application April 20, 1953, Serial No. 349,908

7 Claims. (Cl. 248-49) The present invention relates to portable fire extinguishers, and more particularly to a fire extinguisher nozzle retaining means.

This application is a continuation in part of our prior application, Serial No. 128,513, filed November 21, 1949, now Patent No. 2,667,225, issued January 26, 1954.

The usual portable fire extinguisher, such as may use dry powder as an extinguishing agent, is fitted with a discharge hose and nozzle. The nozzle may incorporate a shut-off valve for the intermittent discharge of the extinguisher. In use the extinguishers are positioned in the vicinity of hazards to be protected against fire, and are often carried on trucks or other vehicles.

It is desirable that the nozzle and hose be secured in position during the storage or transportation of the exti-nguisher to improve the appearance of the extinguisher and to prevent damage to the nozzle. However, it is very important that the nozzle and hose be readily freed for use during an emergency. Heretofore, in some cases, clips have been provided to engage the nozzle. The clips have not been wholly satisfactory as no provision is made for keeping water or dirt out of the nozzle opening. Also, under conditions of vibration, such as when the extinguishers are stored on vehicles, the clips have permitted rattling of the nozzle and wear thereon.

The present invention aims to overcome the foregoing difiiculties and disadvantages by providing an improved fire extinguisher nozzle retaining means which is simple and economical in manufacture, and which is rugged In use.

In accordance with the invention the foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a nozzle retaining means made of a flexible cap member to releasably secure the nozzle in storage position.

The construction in accordance with the invention is advantageous in that there is no wear on the nozzle under conditions of vibration. Further, the nozzle may be quickly and easily inserted into the cap member or removed therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a fire extinguisher with the bottom of the extinguisher and of the discharge hose shown broken away. A retaining means in accordance with the invention is shown holding the nozzle in storage position on the extinguisher.

Figure 2 is a top view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the nozzle retaining means.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a View corresponding to Figure 3 of a modified form of nozzle retaining means.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a fire extinguisher 1 including a container 2 and a combination carrying handle and filling cover 3. The discharge of the extinguisher is through and outlet elbow 4 fitted with a hose 5 at the end of which is a shut-off valve 6 and a discharge nozzle 7. The nozzle is secured in storage position in a nozzle retaining means or cap 10 made in accordance with the invention.

The carrying handle and cover 3 is provided with a ring-shaped member 11 for easy hand engagement. In the center of the cover 3 is an operating member 12 to release stored pressure fluid medium within the container 2 in the conventional manner to expel any suitable fire extinguishing agent such as dry powder through the nozzle 7.

The outlet elbow 4 is made with a boss 14 providing a fiat surface for the mounting of the retaining cap 10 as will later appear.

The nozzle retaining means or cap 10 in accordance with the invention is made of a flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber and is formed in a generally cap or cup-like shape. Closed end 15 of the cap 10 is made somewhat thicker than the side wall 16 to provide strength for the engagement with an insert 17. Outer edge 13 of the closed end 15 is rounded for decorative purposes. The open end of the wall 16 is beveled as indicated at 20 to facilitate the insertion of the nozzle 7, the end of the nozzle preferably being formed with a bead 21. The inner surface of the cap 10 is made with a plurality of corrugations 22, each having a rounded base as indicated at 23. innermost base 24 is slightly wider than the base 23 providing ample space for the retension of the bead 21 for the nozzle 7. In order to provide for any possible leakage through the valve 6 and the nozzle 7, vertical grooves 25 may be made by cutting across the corrugations 22 so as to vent the cap 10 and prevent the building up of pressure which might force the nozzle 7 out of the cap 10. The insert 17 is made with a center aperture 26 and with outer flat side walls 27. Inner edge 30 and outer edge 31 of the insert 17 are flanged to provide a groove 32 therebetween to receive the material of the closed end 15 to provide a good engagement between the parts. The cap member 10 is secured in position against the flattened end of the boss 14 by means of a screw 34.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6 utilizing the same construction as in Figures 3 and 4 excepting that in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the vertical grooves 25 are omitted. This structure is particularly suitable for use with a leak-proof shutoff nozzle from which there is no chance of leakage through the nozzle 7. The omission of the vertical grooves 25 provides a somewhat stronger construction.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. Therefore, the form of the invention set out above should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An unbreakable retaining cap for a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising a cup-shaped flexible member adapted to receive the end of the nozzle, and means in the closed end thereof for attaching means, the interior of the member formed to retain the end of the nozzle.

2. An unbreakable retaining cap for a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising a cup-shaped flexible member adapted to receive the end of the nozzle and having an 3 aperture in the closed end thereof for attaching means, the interior of the member having a plurality of ring-like corrugations to retain the end of the nozzle and having at least one passage across each of the corrugations to vent the cap.

3. An unbreakable releasable retaining cap for a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising a cup-shaped flexible member, and an apertured rigid insert positioned in the closed end of the flexible member for attaching means.

4. An unbreakable releasable retaining cap for a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising a cup-shaped flexible member, an apertured rigid insert positioned in the closed end of the flexible member for attaching means, and flanged inner and outer edges for the insert forming a groove therebetween to receive the wall of the flexible member.

5. An unbreakable releasable retaining cap for a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising a cup-shaped flexible member, an apertured rigid insert positioned in the closed end of the flexible member for attaching means,

and a plurality of corrugations on the inner wall of the flexible member.

6. An unbreakable releasable retaining cap for a fire extinguisher discharge nozzle comprising a cup-shaped flexible member, an apertured rigid insert positioned in the closed end of the flexible member for attaching means, a plurality of corrugations on the inner wall of the flexible member, and means forming at least one passage across each of the corrugations to vent the cap.

7. An unbreakable releasable retaining cap for a fire cxtinguisher nozzle comprising a cup-shaped flexible member, a plurality of corrugations on the inner wall of the flexible member, an apertured rigid insert positioned in the closed end of the flexible member, the insert having a plurality of flat side walls, and flanged inner and outer edges for the insert forming a groove therebetween to receive the wall of the flexible member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,371,959 Duffield Mar. 20, 1945 

